Choosing Wisely:

Up to 50% of children develop musculoskeletal pain. There is no evidence that autoantibody panel testing in the absence of history or physical exam evidence of a rheumatologic disease enhances the diagnosis of children with isolated musculoskeletal pain. Autoantibody panels are expensive; evidence has demonstrated cost reduction by limiting autoantibody panel testing. Thus, autoantibody panels should be ordered following confirmed ANA positivity or clinical suspicion that a rheumatologic disease is present in the child.